CHINA: A doctor of traditional Chinese medicine has taken to a glass house 30 feet above a remote hillside in the southwestern province of Sichuan in a bid to beat American endurance artist David Blaine's 44-day world starvation record, writes Clifford Coonan in Beijing
Chen Jianmin (51) will use meditation, kung fu and tai chi martial arts to stave off the hunger. He wants to break the record to show how effective traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM as it's known in trendy circles, is in overcoming physical obstacles.
If everything goes according to plan, Mr Chen will have his next meal on May 7th, after 49 days fasting, beating the American illusionist's achievement by five days.
Monday was Day 9 and local media in Sichuan province reported that Mr Chen had his first shower and washed his clothes in the glass house, which at 10 square metres is about the size of an average conservatory.
"He looks healthy and well, no problem," one newspaper reported.
The public can see right into Mr Chen's glass house, except for two areas where he showers and uses the toilet.
While on the toilet, Mr Chen has to keep his head above a curtain running around the room so everyone watching can see he is not eating anything.
As with David Blaine's London stunt, the local media is obsessed with his toilet habits.
Mr Chen remains in contact with friends by mobile phone. On his second day in the box, he fielded 100 phone calls, including queries from his patients making sure he would still be able to visit them when he was finished the fast.
A team of round-the-clock monitors will keep tabs on Mr Chen's health - and also make sure that no one tries to slip him anything to eat during the night.